What are the best ways to evaluate a mentor's communication skills?

2 Observe their online presence

Another way to get a sense of a mentor's communication skills is to observe their online presence. You can check out their website, blog, social media profiles, podcasts, videos, or any other platforms where they share their insights, opinions, and experiences. Look for clues about their tone, clarity, consistency, and credibility. Do they communicate in a way that is engaging, informative, and respectful? Do they demonstrate their expertise and authority without being arrogant or condescending? Do they respond to comments and questions from their audience in a timely and constructive manner?

3 Conduct a trial session

A third way to evaluate a mentor's communication skills is to conduct a trial session with them. This can be a formal or informal conversation where you discuss your goals, expectations, and challenges with the mentor. Pay attention to how they listen, ask questions, provide feedback, and offer guidance. Do they listen actively and attentively, or do they interrupt or dominate the conversation? Do they ask open-ended and probing questions, or do they make assumptions or judgments? Do they provide feedback that is specific, actionable, and supportive, or do they criticize or generalize? Do they offer guidance that is tailored to your needs, preferences, and learning style, or do they impose their own agenda or methods?

4 Assess your rapport

A fourth way to evaluate a mentor's communication skills is to assess your rapport with them. Rapport is the degree of trust, respect, and harmony that you have with the mentor. It is influenced by factors such as personality, values, interests, and communication style. Rapport is important because it affects your motivation, engagement, and satisfaction with the mentoring relationship. To assess your rapport, ask yourself how comfortable, confident, and inspired you feel when communicating with the mentor. Do you feel that they understand you, appreciate you, and challenge you? Do you feel that you can be honest, open, and vulnerable with them? Do you feel that you can learn from them and grow with them?

5 Compare your options

A fifth and final way to evaluate a mentor's communication skills is to compare your options. You don't have to settle for the first mentor that you find or that is assigned to you. You can explore different mentors and see how they communicate with you and with others. You can also compare their communication skills with your own and with those of your ideal mentor. You can use a framework such as the DISC model, which categorizes communication styles into four types: Dominant, Influential, Steady, and Conscientious. Each type has its strengths and weaknesses, and each type can communicate better or worse with other types. By comparing your options, you can find a mentor whose communication style matches or complements yours, and who can help you develop your communication skills further.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?